Northern Westchester Hospital (NWH) recently marked an important step forward in its commitment to advanced medical care with the opening of six new operating rooms and a 14-bay Recovery Unit. A ribbon cutting ceremony held on March 18th marked their completion and highlighted NWH’s dedication to modernizing patient care through technology and innovation.
Advanced Facilities
The hospital’s new surgical suites are an emblematic demonstration of its dedication to patient-centric care, featuring rooms designed with soothing soft blue hues for peace and calm, along with sparkling silver walls, white ceilings, state-of-the-art equipment, and welcoming staff that together create an environment both technologically advanced yet welcoming. Each operating room – typically 655 square feet in size – can accommodate the technology and staff required for minimally-invasive surgeries while upholding the highest standards of medical care.
Generous Contributions
Hospital staff, generous donors, public officials and approximately 100 guests attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate and recognize several key donors who made possible the new operating rooms – these donors include David Miller, MD; Dawn Tinger (spouse of Al Tinger MD); the La Motta children; Seema Boesky; Peggy Collins MD and Nancy Karch whose support were essential in making this project come to fruition.
Improved Patient Experience
NWH’s new surgical suite provides patients with an improved patient experience through universal pre- and post-surgery bays designed to maximize privacy and infection control, advanced heating and ventilation systems ensure ideal background noise levels, allowing clear communication among doctors, nurses, operating room personnel as well as more space and greater privacy for post-operative patient rooms that have been converted from double to single rooms allowing more privacy for both themselves and their families post surgery.
Community Effort
Joel Seligman, CEO of NWH, expressed his sincerest thanks for the joint effort that brought this project to fruition. “Today is our celebration of an incredible accomplishment that took the effort of everyone involved – thanks so much!” Seligman exclaimed. Furthermore, he noted the vast improvement in medical care over a century’s time as patients would have been terrified just being near an operating room, while today they can rest easy knowing they will receive only top-of-the-line care right in their backyards.
Leadership and Support
At this event, Seligman expressed his sincerest thanks to Hatsy Vallar, Dr. Anita Grover and Marshal Peris as the Capital Campaign Co-Chairs for their leadership and support of this effort. Additionally, he acknowledged the contributions from Mike Caruso’s Facilities Team with project leads Chris Shopinski and Jeanne Wong as well as Stephanie Rosenthal Bryan Guss Deb Morfea Dana Protomastro Craig Brandt of Surgical Services Team for their contributions and team effort.
Nancy Karch, Chair of Northern Westchester Hospital Board of Trustees, revealed the next phase of this project – renovating current operating rooms and creating pre-and post-anesthesia bays and a comprehensive clinical laboratory – while thanking all those physicians involved who provided superior care while helping make this vision come to fruition.
Public Recognition
Attended by public officials including Susan Spear from Senator Kirsten Gillibrand’s Hudson Valley Office; New York State Senator Terrence Murphy; Assemblyman David Buchwald and Mount Kisco Mayor Mike Cindrich. These officials gave heartfelt congratulations for the hospital’s accomplishments and its positive impact in their communities.
Northwell Health Family
Northwell Health Family Members of Northwell Health joined in celebrating this momentous event. Dr. Gary Giangola, Chairman of Surgery at Lenox Hill Hospital; Dr. Gene F. Coppa, Chairman of Surgery at North Shore University Hospital and Long Island Jewish Medical Center; Eugene Tangney, Senior Vice President and Chief Administration Officer of Northwell; and Mark Vincent, Vice President of Marketing Strategy were present to show their appreciation of Northwell Hospital’s achievements.
A Proud Moment
Marshal Peris, MD, Director of Spine Surgery for Northwell Health’s Orthopedic and Spine Institute, highlighted the significance of the new surgical suite with pride: it “takes great care to an exciting new level of sophistication”. Dr. Peris expressed gratitude to his colleagues whose support made this project possible and shared insights from Dr. Tom Lansen (former Chief of Neurosurgery at NWH) regarding its notable advancements in Neurosciences and Spine surgery.
Following the ribbon cutting, guests were led on tours of the new facilities by the Surgical Services Leadership of Operating Rooms and Pre and Post Anesthesia Care Unit. This event marked a new era at Northern Westchester Hospital as its unwavering commitment to healthcare excellence was displayed as it strived to serve their community with superior medical care.